Dual fuel tank system for an earthmoving vehicle

Abstract

A side mount fuel tank system installed on an earth moving vehicle such as a motor grader. The side mount fuel tank system is designed to allow the installation of an air-to-air aftercooler onto a motor grader without requiring the lengthening of a rear frame of the motor grader. The side mount fuel tank system includes a support apparatus and a fuel tank apparatus. The fuel tank system includes a first fuel tank attached to a first side of an engine compartment, and a second fuel tank attached to a second side of the engine compartment. Each of the fuel tanks includes tank plates positioned to deflect material impinging on the tanks.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A side mount fuel tank system for a motor grader having a support apparatus including a first mounting structure provided on a first side of a motor grader frame and a second mounting structure provided on a second side of a motor grader frame, said side mount fuel tank system comprising: 
       a first and second vertical plate each being attached to a respective one of said first and second sides of said machine frame;  
       a first and second lower plate each having a downwardly extending flange and joining a respective one of said first and second vertical plates, said lower plates extending a predetermined distance outward from said machine frame;  
       a first and second upper plate each joining a respective one of said first and second vertical plates, each of said first and second upper plates extending outward from said machine frame;  
       a first and second opening each being defined between respective ones of said first and second upper plates and said first and second lower plates at a location outward from said vertical plates;  
       a first and second fuel tank each positioned in a respective one of said first and second openings and resting upon its associated lower plate;  
       fasteners adapted to attach a respective one of said first and second fuel tanks to said support apparatus, at least one fastener attaching a respective one of the first and second fuel tanks to the flange of the respective lower plate with which it is associated.  
     
     
       2. The side mount fuel tank system of  claim 1 , further including: 
       a cross-over conduit for allowing fuel to pass between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank; and  
       a fuel sump tank connected to the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank for removing fuel from the first fuel tank and from the second fuel tank.  
     
     
       3. The side mount fuel tank system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second fuel tanks each have an upper surface, each of said upper surfaces being fastened to and in contact with the respective upper plate with which it is associated. 
     
     
       4. A motor grader having a front frame and a rear frame attached to the front frame, an engine compartment and a side mount fuel tank system having a support apparatus and being attached to the rear frame, said motor grader comprising: 
       a first and second vertical plate each being attached to a respective one of said first and second sides of said rear frame;  
       a first and second lower plate each joining a respective one of said first and second vertical plates and said first and second lower plates, extending a predetermined distance outward from said frame;  
       a first and second upper plate each joining a respective one of said vertical plates, each of said upper plates extending outward from said rear frame;  
       a first and second opening each being defined between respective ones of said first and second upper plates and said first and second lower plates at a location outward from said vertical plates;  
       a first and second fuel tank each positioned in a respective one of said first and second openings; and  
       a first and second fastener each adapted to attach a respective one of said first and second fuel tanks to said support apparatus.  
     
     
       5. The motor grader of  claim 4 , wherein the engine compartment further includes: 
       an air-to-air aftercooler attached to the rear frame;  
       a radiator attached to the rear frame;  
       a battery attached to the rear frame;  
       an air tank attached to the rear frame; and  
       a fan apparatus attached to the rear frame.  
     
     
       6. The motor grader of  claim 4 , further including a first pair of tank plates positioned for preventing impact damage to said first fuel tank, and a second pair of tank plates positioned for preventing impact damage to said second fuel tank. 
     
     
       7. The motor grader of  claim 4 , further including a fuel filler apparatus for filling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank with fuel. 
     
     
       8. The motor grader of  claim 4 , further including a cross-over conduit for allowing fuel to pass between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. 
     
     
       9. The motor grader of  claim 4 , further including a fuel sump tank connected to the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank for removing fuel from the first fuel tank and from the second fuel tank. 
     
     
       10. The motor grader of  claim 4 , wherein each fuel tank is made from an impact resistant material. 
     
     
       11. The motor grader of  claim 4 , further including a vent apparatus for allowing fuel vapor to exit each fuel tank.